Erdogan's party may face legal proceedingsMay 23, 2007 - 16:12 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The secularist establishment in Turkey is currently laying the groundwork to prepare the files for a case to force the closure of the Justice and Development (AK) Party headed by PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the grounds that it is encouraging Islamic fundamentalism.Such files are compiled at the office of the Chief Prosecutor of the Supreme Court of Appeals. If the chief prosecutor finds sufficient evidence to launch a case for the closure of a political party he takes the issue to the Constitutional Court, the New Anatolian reports. In the past the Constitutional Court has closed down several pro-Kurdish and Islamist parties. The last Islamist party to be closed by the court was the Welfare Party (Refah Partisi) led by former Prime Minister Necmettin Erbakan. Most AK Party officials and ministers came from this party and are thus branded as "people with Islamic roots." The secularists opposed the presidential candidacy of Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul saying someone with his Islamic background should not be head of state. The presidential election was a test for the secularist establishment to flex its muscle and the fact that the secularists prevented the AK Party from electing its candidate as head of state showed the weaknesses of the government. The secularist challenge came in the form of a military ultimatum presented to the government on April 28 and three mass rallies in Ankara, Istanbul and Izmir that hurt the AK Party. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Ameriabank's Trade Finance portfolio enriched with four prestigious awards from EBRD and IFC Ameriabank received the awards from international financial institutions in recognition of its trade finance operations. Armenian Economy Minister to make trip to UAE May 20-22 A delegation led by Minister of Economy Gevorg Papoyan will travel to the UAE capital of Abu Dhabi on May 20-22 Armenia Security Council chief traveling to Qatar Secretary of the Security Council of Armenia Armen Grigoryan will travel on a working visit to Qatar. Pillars installed in Armenian border village of Kirants In the Armenian village of Kirants, three border markers have been installed, and border guards stand next to them. |